Why is the cross used as a worship symbol?

Question

The "cross", if indeed it was a cross, was used to torture and kill Jesus...agreed? If someone knifed or shot your religious leader/god, would you make a miniture of the weapon and use it in worship/prayer or wear it around around your neck??? So why do it with the cross???
PS The cross was a symbol of sex worship in ancient Egypt

Answer 1

The only thing I can think of instead of using it as destruction they turned it around and used it a symbol to represent the coming and going of religions and free will as well as repenting for sin. It really depends on which religion, you choose and read for.

You are right the pagan religion as back as far as Egyptian use the ankh.

right here this link.. explains from early orgins from pagan to now and how it was transformed into its symbol as now adays.

I myself can't wear a cross. I can't wear it wear someone was killed on it. I just seems so wrong to me. I wear a pentacle, which mine represents mother earth.

Answer 2

You are right, the cross actually appears in religious worship in many cultures. I am thinking in particular the Celtic Cross.

In the same way the bent cross of the Nazis was the sun wheel of buddhism and native americans.

According the Jung, certain symbols are reused across cutlures. The christian cross has that behind it.

Many religious symbols and ideas appear in many cultures or come from one culture into another. The virgin birth was something from Alexander the Great and the Asension into heaven comes from Pythagorus (the triangle guy you learn about in geometry at school).

The torture on the cross symbolysis the new convenant, this is the new contract. The jews were business people and basically had a contract (covenant) with God.

Jesus suffered and died on earth because of our human weaknesses. It is a symbol of God's sacrifice.

God gives to us, we must also sacrifice in return. This is different from many other religions where we sacrifice because God is powerful.

Answer 3

Because His death, and (more importantly) His resurrection and victory over death, are necessary elements to our salvation.

We all deserve to go to Hell; He did that for us so we don't have to.

I have, however, believed that the empty tomb would be a more fitting symbol, but a cross is just easier to make and wear. In my faith we use an empty cross instead of a crucifix (with the body hanging on it) -- because He isn't still on the cross. He was taken down and buried and has risen.

The symbol used in Egypt is called an Ankh, and the upper part is a loop, and it was never intended to be made large, out of wood, or used for executions. I count four differences right there. I'm sure an Egyptologist could tell you more.

Answer 4

Cross the 'I' feeling clean across so that you can realize your self. I have read this beautiful explanation in SAI literature. In fact a huge pillar depicting the major religions of the world has been erected in the campus of Prasanthinilayam(where Saibaba give dharsan to all) and the explanations of the symbols of major religions are engraved in it.

Answer 5

http://www.designboom.com/history/cross_symbol.html

cross symbol
the basic shape of a cross, has since prehistoric times
been employed in almost every culture throughout the
world and all the roughly similar shapes of cross
symbols have wildly different meanings.
the cross variously symbolised health, fertility, life,
immortality, the union of heaven and earth, spirit and
matter, the sun, the stars... it is seen a world centre and
a cosmic axis, the cross represents the human form,
with its four cardinal points it can be mapped to fourfold
systems: the four directions: north, south, east, and west;
the 4 seasons; the four elements; the four winds...

Answer 6

"The fool says there is no God".

ANYONE who worships a cross is warped. There is only one thing worthy of worship and that is Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

Quite simple, it is a "t"; and t is for turtle!